OVER €50,000 was distributed among nine winners of the 2026 Irish Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards (ITIEA), who were honoured at the Keadeen Hotel in Newbridge, Co Kildare on Tuesday evening.
This was the 10th year the awards were supported by Godolphin and many of the previous overall winners were in attendance. During the night Jimmy Hyland of Godolphin Ireland indicated that the organisation would be supporting the awards for many years to come.
The awards are also backed by the Irish Stable Staff Association, HRI Equuip, Irish Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association and the Racing Post.
These awards recognise the exceptional dedication, skill, and passion of the people who form the backbone of Ireland’s world-renowned thoroughbred racing and breeding sector.
Each recipient was selected following a competitive nomination and judging process, with candidates evaluated on their commitment, professionalism, and impact within their respective roles.
Guests included Horse Racing Ireland chief executive Suzanne Eade, Darragh O’Loughlin, CEO of the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board, and Bernard Caldwell of the Irish Stable Staff Association. Godolphin’s Diana Cooper was also in attendance.
In his address, Bernard Caldwell singled out event ambassador Sandra Hughes for her work in promoting the event, and HRI’s Barbara White who puts in months of work to pull the event together. The judging committee is headed by Michael O’Rourke and includes Regina Byrne (AIRO), Avril Finlay (IRTA), Ger Flynn (ISSA), Paul Hensey (AIR), Nessa Joyce (Irish EBF), Hannah Marks (ITBA) and industry representatives Michael O’Donoghue and Meta Osborne.
Dual role
The evening’s top honour, the Irish Racing Excellence Award, was presented to Aoife Dempsey who is head girl for both Ted and Katie Walsh.
She won a total of €9,000 for herself and €2,500 for her employers to be used for the benefit of their work colleagues.
Aoife, who is in the unusual position of bringing horses to the races and to the sales, was described as simply exceptional and a true “all hands-on-deck” professional. Loyal, dependable and determined, she represents both operations to the highest standard and her employers stated she was irreplaceable and invaluable.
Encouraged to complete her education before deciding to work with horses, Aoife first worked for Katie’s husband Ross O’Sullivan before spending some time in Australia. When she returned she joined the Walsh family.
Asked what it meant to be recognised as a star of the racing industry, Aoife said: “Everyone in this room deserves this award, not just me. We all work as hard as each other.”
Key players in top yards
David Porter was perhaps the best-known name of all the individual award winners. A former amateur rider, he gained great experience with Philip Rothwell before moving to the Willie Mullins yard, where is head lad.
In his first year at Closutton he looked after Quevega and has been responsible for caring for many other stars since then, including Fact To File, Final Demand and Narciso Has in the past season alone.
Patrick Mullins said of David: “He has earned this award. Closutton would not be the same place without him. His job is not easy - you’re being pulled from above, below and from the side. You need to know how to handle people too.”
Another award winner, Jack Madden, used to work for the Mullins team but he has been with Gordon Elliott for many years now and perhaps is best known for being overcome with emotion when Samcro won twice at the Cheltenham Festival.
Currently travelling head lad, Jack holds a lot of responsibility both in the yard and on the road. He was a key part of the team who delivered five winners for the Elliott yard at Far Hills in New Jersey last autumn.
After receiving his award from the IHRB’s chief medical officer Jennifer Pugh, Jack made a point of thanking Frances Crowley who believed in him when he was starting out, even though he had “a wild side”.
It was surprising to learn that there had never been an award winner from Northern Ireland, or from the point-to-point sector, in previous years. That was put right on both counts by David Christie Jnr, who was recognised for his contribution to the success of the Fermanagh yard of his father and namesake.
David jnr rides out the record-breaking Winged Leader every day and rode many winners himself between the flags in the past. On working with alongside his father, he said: “Neither of us say an awful lot, to be honest. He knows what he needs for me and I know what I need from him. This is my 12th season there and we find a way of working together.”
Stalls handler John Wixted has been in racing for 35 years, riding out for nine years before following his father into working with the stalls team. He is still associated with the Ian McCarthy yard and was presented with his Ancillary Services Award by jockey Siobhan Rutledge who recently rode out her claim.
John said of his colleagues: “It’s a dangerous job but we look out for each other.”
Michelle Mallon of Newtown Stud won the Newcomer award. She originally trained as a beautician but after a serious health scare she decided she would be happier working with horses. Now working alongside the Grassick family, Michelle is trusted to look after valuable bloodstock including a mare who made €320,000 at the sales.
Newborn baby
Stephanie Kennedy of Ballylinch Stud was unable to collect her Administration award in person as she gave birth to her second child, a girl named Mara, just a week ago.
Stephanie’s role at Ballylinch encompasses marketing and client relations as well as assisting stud manager John O’Connor. Her sister Louise collected the award while Stephanie looked on via a WhatsApp call.
Listowel Racecourse won the Racecourse Award. Judged by the Irish Stable Staff Association, this award is based on criteria such as the standard of facilities, amenities, and the overall environment provided for the industry’s dedicated workforce.
It was also noted how Listowel had bounced back from the extensive damage caused by Storm Bert in November 2024. Along with the trophy, Listowel Racecourse received €2,500 to be spent on upgrading facilities that will benefit stable employees.
Award Winners
Irish Racing Excellence Award: Aoife Dempsey, Head Girl, Ted and Katie Walsh, Kill, Co Kildare
Newcomer Award: Michelle Mallon, Stud Hand, Newtown Stud, Naas, Co Kildare
Administration Award: Stephanie Kennedy, Marketing, Client Relations and PA, Ballylinch Stud, Thomastown, Co Kilkenny
Ancillary Services Award: John Wixted, Stall Handler, Horse Racing Ireland, Ballymany, Co Kildare
Irish Thoroughbred Industry Award winners
David Christie Jnr, Assistant Trainer, David Christie, Derrylin, Co Fermanagh
Aoife Dempsey, Head Girl, Ted and Katie Walsh, Kill, Co Kildare
Jack Madden, Travelling Head Lad, Gordon Elliott, Longwood, Co Meath
Brian Moloney, Head Travelling Lad, John McConnell, Stamullen, Co Meath
David Porter, Head Lad, Willie Mullins, Closutton, Co Carlow